Whitney Young Howard connects with a ball during the DC Sports Koehl Classic. (BYU Photo)
The BYU women's volleyball team went 3-0 in the Sports Imports D.C. Koehl Classic tournament this weekend in Ohio to continue their undefeated record (6-0).
Head coach Heather Olmstead was proud of her team's effort.
'The team never gave up and everybody contributed. I'm really happy for the team,' Olmstead said.
Tournament play began Friday morning with the Cougars facing off against Wyoming for the first time since 2010 with BYU winning 69 of the 74 times they've played in total. Veronica Jones-Perry was a stand out player during the match with 11 kills on a .276 clip.
The Cougars carried the victory momentum to their match later that evening against Long Island University Brooklyn.
BYU defeated the Blackbirds in three quick sets (25-16, 25-8, 25-13) with Jones-Perry continuing to lead BYU with 14 kills and five digs. Cosy Burnett also put up 10 kills on a .667 clip while Mary Lake contributed 13 digs.
BYU was previously undefeated against Ohio State but this match proved to be a different story. The No. 11 Buckeyes pulled ahead early in the first set then won a tightly contested second set (26-24) as well.
However, the Cougars charged back and won the third set with an incredible lead of 21-2. This set proved to be shift of momentum as Buckeyes errors continued rampant and freshman McKenna Miller put away seven kills. BYU didn't look back and won the next to sets and ultimately the tournament.
The BYU women's volleyball team celebrates after scoring a point at the DC Sports Koehl Classic. (BYU Photo)
“We treated the Ohio State game like any other game,' Lake said. 'At the beginning we we’re shaken up, a little scared and intimidated but we had to focus on the things we can control.'
Miller and Lake were key components to of the win over Ohio State. Miller had a career-high 31 kills which was the second-most all-time in one set in BYU rally-scoring history.
“I want to keep contributing how the team needs me to play, whatever I end up doing if it’s on the bench or on the court I want to get better as player and help the team grow,” Miller said.
Lake contributed a career-high 38 digs which is also the second-most all-time in the BYU rally-scoring era. Amy Boswell added a match-high 5 blocks and 13 kills. Lake and Boswell were added to the all-tournament team and Lake was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament.
The Cougars will head to face Boise State, Missouri and Idaho State in the Idaho State Invitational next weekend then take on rival University of Utah in the Deseret Duel at home on Thursday, September 15.